| Apparatus and method for sampling and correcting fluids -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
  Apparatus and method for sampling and correcting fluidsUSPTO Application #: 20070202603Title: Apparatus and method for sampling and correcting fluids Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for sampling a metal working fluid and dispensing a corrective fluid to adjust the fluid in a tank or reservoir from which the sample was drawn. The apparatus, which in certain embodiments is transportable, includes an inlet configured to receive a fluid sample from a reservoir, a measuring station configured to determine at least one parameter of the fluid sample, a dispensing station configured to select a type and amount of fluid(s) to be added to the metal working fluid to restore its desired parameters, and an outlet configured to dispense the corrective fluid. The inventive apparatus provides an advantageous computerized comparison of the contaminates and concentrations of key constituents in a sample fluid against desired operating parameters and dispenses a corrective fluid, which, when added to the reservoir from which the sample fluid was drawn, corrects the adverse conditions of that fluid. (end of abstract) Agent: Bose Mckinney & Evans LLP James Coles - Indianapolis, IN, US Inventor: Steven Wayne Counts USPTO Applicaton #: 20070202603 - Class: 436 43 (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070202603. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/776,868, filed Feb. 27, 2006, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND [0002]Metal working fluids ("MWFs") are industrial coolants and lubricants used to reduce friction and heat generated during machining, grinding and fabrication operations of metal products and to lubricate various parts during metal working operations. The fluids prolong the life of machines, carry away metal chips and protect the surfaces of the metal being processed. There are three main types of MWFs: insoluble fluids (straight or neat oils), soluble oils (oil in water emulsions) and synthetic fluids. These fluids can include additives such as corrosion inhibitors, emulsifiers, anti-foaming agents, preservatives and biocides. The formula used depends on the raw material or cutting operation to be carried out. Examples of the processes in which MWFs are used include can making, metal rolling, punching, sheet bending and the like. Typically, the processes recirculate spent fluid from the metalworking process through a filtration and equilibration system to remove metal fines, tramp oil, soils, etc. and return the fluid to the metalworking process. Controlling Chemical Concentration. [0003]It has been found that, after checking chemical concentrations in the machinery that uses MWFs, chemicals are generally added without precise measurement. Specifically, in the event the MWF has been checked and determined to not fall within established operating parameters, an unmeasured amount of water and/or chemical concentrate is added. The fluid may (or may not) be re-checked at a later time/date to determine the impact of the addition. This approach invariably causes the fluid to go from too rich to too lean or vice versa. The resulting duplication of labor requirements for re-testing and re-adjusting chemicals can be costly. Additionally, a MWF having chemical concentrations not within the proper ranges can result in non-conforming parts, high tool failure rates, excessive chemical costs, and an increase in certain health risks associated with exposure to higher chemical concentrations. [0004]Various instruments and methods are known for determining the concentration of water-soluble chemicals in aqueous solution. One example is a refractometer, which measures the amount and/or angle of light penetration through a lens when coated with a thin layer of the chemical being analyzed. The light is measured on a scale in the refractometer. To determine chemical concentration, the light measurement from the scale is multiplied by a mathematical equation specific to that particular chemical. [0005]Although these instruments for measuring chemical concentration are readily available, there remains a gap in the industry between the results of the analysis and the corrective action needed and taken. With a refractometer, for example, the user will obtain a reading, but it will not convert this data into a quantitative concentration of the chemical of interest, nor will the instrument calculate the amount of chemical concentrate and/or water required to return the chemical reservoir to the target or optimum concentration. [0006]While not a common practice, it is possible to manually calculate the exact amount of concentrate and/or water necessary to adjust the chemical concentration in a given chemical reservoir. An example of this calculation is as follows: Step 1. Determine the Chemical's Refractive Index (Specific to Each Chemical). [0007]Mix a sample of chemical concentrate to a known concentration in water, e.g., in a graduated cylinder, mix 5 milliliters of chemical concentrate into 95 milliliters of water, resulting in a solution having a concentration of the chemical of 5%. Thoroughly mix to form an emulsion of the chemical concentrate and water. Place a small amount of the mixed fluid on the lens of a refractometer designed for the type of fluid being tested. For this example, assume the refract reading is 2.9. This indicates a refractive index of 1.724 (5% known concentration/2.9 measured refract=1.724 to 1 refractive ratio) This means that for each 1.0 reading on the refract scale, we know that the chemical concentration is 1.724% Step 2. Determine the Desired Chemical Concentration of the Machine Reservoir. [0008]This is normally determined by various performance characteristics of the chemical itself and varies based on machine and application. For purposes of this demonstration, assume a 5% concentration is desired. Step 3. Determine the "Actual" Concentration of the Chemical Reservoir. [0009]Place a small amount of the chemical from the reservoir onto the lens of the refractometer. Assume the refractometer scale reads 2.2 Now, the resulting concentration can be determined by multiplying the 2.2 reading by the 1.724 refractive ratio (established in Step 1 above) and the concentration is thus calculated as 3.79%. Step 4. Determine Chemical Reservoir Capacity. [0010]The capacity of the chemical reservoir is calculated by measuring the height, width and length to determine area and volume. For example, a vessel having a height of 14 inches, a width of 24 inches and a length of 35 inches has a volume of 12,096 cubic inches. Since there are 231 cubic inches in a gallon, this equates to a 52.4 gallon capacity reservoir. Step 5. Determine Concentration Variance. [0011]Compare the 5% desired concentration established in Step 2 to the 3.79% actual concentration established in Step 3, and the difference calculates to a deficiency of 1.21% Step 6. Determine Corrective Action Requirement. [0012]The deficiency of 1.21% just calculated in Step 5 is multiplied by the reservoir capacity determined in Step 4, viz., 52.4 gallons. The result is 0.631 gallons of chemical concentrate is required to return the reservoir to the 5% desired concentration. In the event Step 5 reveals that the concentration is too rich, the appropriate amount of water addition necessary to lean the chemical to the desired concentration can be determined using similar mathematical equations. Further, it is also known in the art that calculations like the ones described above can be programmed into and executed by commercially available software programs, such as Microsoft Excel.RTM.. In addition to calculating coolant, such software has been used to calculate the amount of biocide and/or water that must be manually measured, e.g., by weight or volume, and then manually added to a given reservoir to restore the metal working fluid in that reservoir to its ideal operating conditions. As noted above, however, it is not common practice in the metal working industry that these calculations are actually carried out. [0013]Indeed, a survey of twenty large metal working facilities revealed that the average company was operating with its water-based cutting fluids (coolants) 40% richer than the manufacturer's suggested concentration. This is primarily due to continuous evaporation of water from the fluid without replacement. Assuming an average $150,000 in annual coolant purchases, the average metal working facility can save $60,000 per year by properly maintaining the chemical concentration of its water based coolants. [0014]Furthermore, improper control of chemical concentration is the single largest contributor to coolant related machining problems. When concentrations of the active chemicals become too low, tool life is shortened dramatically and rust and corrosion begin to take place on the machine tools and on the manufactured parts. Surface finish is impaired and microbial and fungus growth begins to flourish. [0015]Similarly, when the metal working fluids become too rich, tool life is again shortened due to impairment of heat dissipation caused by increased fluid viscosity. Maintenance of machinery becomes a problem because heavy, sticky residue begins to accumulate on machine surfaces and tool holders. Operators begin complaining of dermatitis or respiratory problems as the chemicals become more concentrated. Excessive chemical consumption and related costs become significant issues. Continue reading... Full patent description for Apparatus and method for sampling and correcting fluids Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Apparatus and method for sampling and correcting fluids patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Apparatus and method for sampling and correcting fluids or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Method for macerating biological material and apparatus for carrying out said method Next Patent Application: Metabonomic methods to assess health of skin Industry Class: Chemistry: analytical and immunological testing ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Apparatus and method for sampling and correcting fluids patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.55323 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Daimler Chrysler , DirecTV , Exxonmobil Chemical Company , Goodyear , Intel , Kyocera Wireless , |
||
